Be the Referee: Football Rules Changes
September 5, 2019
This week, MHSAA Assistant Director Brent Rice discusses a pair of football rules changes made the enhance safety.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment - Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Among our football rules changes for this year are two which involve player safety.
The foul for tripping has been expanded to include a trip on the ball carrier. Intentionally tripping any player on the field – using the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent below the knees – will result in a 15-yard penalty.
And the definition of a horse-collar tackle has been expanded to include bringing down a runner backwards or sideways by grabbing the nameplate area on the back of the jersey – or inside the neck area of the jersey or shoulder plate. The penalty for a horse-collar tackle is 15 yards.
Past editions
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
Be the Referee: Field Hockey Substitution
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
September 30, 2025
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
We are on the pitch today for a field hockey “You Make the Call.”
During the execution of a penalty corner, the defending goalkeeper is struck on the hand and cannot continue. How is play resumed?
- Allow a properly equipped goalkeeper to substitute.
- Disallow any substitution; the injured goalkeeper must remain in the game.
- The defending team shall forfeit.
If you said to allow the substitution, you are correct. Under Rule 4-4-3, a goalkeeper substitution is permitted during a penalty corner in the event of injury or suspension. Once the new goalkeeper is ready, resume play with the continuation of the penalty corner.
Field players, however, may not substitute until the penalty corner has been completed. This ensures proper game flow while prioritizing player safety.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen
(Photo by Louis Murray.)